RADIO-FREQUENCY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (RFIC) CHIP(S) FOR PROVIDING DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITIES, AND RELATED COMPONENTS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A distributed antenna system for distributing communications signals, comprising:
- a plurality of remote units; and
a central unit, comprising;
a central unit radio-frequency (RF) communications interface configured to;
receive downlink RF communication signals at a RF communications frequency for a RF communications service; and
receive uplink RF communication signals at the RF communications frequency for the RF communications service;
at least one central unit radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) chip comprising;
a down conversion RF integrated circuit (IC) comprising down conversion circuitry configured to shift the frequency of the downlink RF communication signals to an intermediate frequency (IF) having a different frequency than the RF communications frequency, to provide downlink IF communications signals; and
an up conversion circuitry configured to shift the frequency of uplink IF communications signals to the RF communications frequency to provide the uplink RF communication signals; and
a central unit communications interface comprising communications circuitry configured to;
receive the downlink IF communications signals and provide the downlink IF communications signals to the plurality of remote units over a communications medium; and
receive the uplink IF communication signals from the plurality of remote units over the communications medium and provide the uplink IF communications signals to the up conversion circuitry;
the plurality of remote units each comprising;
a remote unit communications interface configured to;
receive the downlink IF communications signals from the central unit for the RF communications service; and
receive uplink RF communication signals at a RF communications frequency for the RF communications service; and
at least one remote unit RFIC chip, comprising;
an up conversion circuitry configured to shift the frequency of downlink IF communications signals to the RF communications frequency to radiate the downlink RF communication signals over a first antenna element; and
a down conversion circuitry configured to shift the frequency of uplink RF communication signals received from a second antenna element to the IF to provide the uplink IF communications signals.
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Abstract
Radio-frequency (RF) integrated circuit (RFIC) chip(s) allow for the integration of multiple electronic circuits on a chip to provide distributed antenna system functionalities. RFIC chips are employed in central unit and remote unit components, reducing component cost and size, increasing performance and reliability, while reducing power consumption. The components are also easier to manufacture. The RFIC chip(s) can be employed in distributed antenna systems and components that support RF communications services and/or digital data services.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A distributed antenna system for distributing communications signals, comprising:
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a plurality of remote units; and a central unit, comprising; a central unit radio-frequency (RF) communications interface configured to; receive downlink RF communication signals at a RF communications frequency for a RF communications service; and receive uplink RF communication signals at the RF communications frequency for the RF communications service; at least one central unit radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) chip comprising; a down conversion RF integrated circuit (IC) comprising down conversion circuitry configured to shift the frequency of the downlink RF communication signals to an intermediate frequency (IF) having a different frequency than the RF communications frequency, to provide downlink IF communications signals; and an up conversion circuitry configured to shift the frequency of uplink IF communications signals to the RF communications frequency to provide the uplink RF communication signals; and a central unit communications interface comprising communications circuitry configured to; receive the downlink IF communications signals and provide the downlink IF communications signals to the plurality of remote units over a communications medium; and receive the uplink IF communication signals from the plurality of remote units over the communications medium and provide the uplink IF communications signals to the up conversion circuitry; the plurality of remote units each comprising; a remote unit communications interface configured to; receive the downlink IF communications signals from the central unit for the RF communications service; and receive uplink RF communication signals at a RF communications frequency for the RF communications service; and at least one remote unit RFIC chip, comprising; an up conversion circuitry configured to shift the frequency of downlink IF communications signals to the RF communications frequency to radiate the downlink RF communication signals over a first antenna element; and a down conversion circuitry configured to shift the frequency of uplink RF communication signals received from a second antenna element to the IF to provide the uplink IF communications signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification